Awarded in honour of Dr Mark Loane AM, former Australian Wallabies rugby captain and University of Queensland alumnus, the medal recognises and rewards the outstanding potential of America's best high school rugby player.

The 2016 medal winner was Bronson Teles from Texas who said his visit to UQ was an amazing experience both on and off the rugby field.

“I was able tick a lot off my bucket list when rugby practice and games took me to many different places like Sydney, the gorgeous beaches of the Sunshine Coast, and cuddling koalas at Lone Pine Sanctuary,” Mr Teles said.

“The hospitality at Kings College was fantastic and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.

“Receiving the Mark Loane Medal and going to Australia are among my greatest rugby achievements, along with representing my country in the sport.

“I’ve got a new feel for the game and learnt new skills which are really helping me now I’m back in the States playing for the University of Arizona.”

Mr Teles hopes the experience will give him an advantage for securing a contract to play rugby professionally in the US or Australia, before pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry.

The UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner on Thursday 2 November will be hosted by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law in partnership with The University of Queensland in America, Inc. (TUQIA) and sponsored by Flight Centre Travel Group.

Dignitaries in attendance include fellow former Australian captains Farr-Jones and Horan, who between them amassed 143 appearances for their nation.

The annual event is popular with North America-based alumni, and offers unique hospitality and high calibre networking opportunities.

In this year’s auction, bidders will vie for rugby memorabilia as well as beach holidays in Mexico and Columbia.

The UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner raises funds for future medal recipients, a concussion management program, ongoing growth of the UQ Rugby Sevens Program for men and women, maintaining a best practice environment for players, coaches and staff at UQ Rugby, as well as Play Rugby USA - a non-profit organisation developing youth through rugby.